Design Blogger's Conference 2014

Well, it's that time again!  Hard to believe that it was a year ago that I attended the life changing Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles.  We'll this weekend I heading back to this year's conference in Atlanta.  I'm so EXCITED!

 Looking forward to seeing some of my old friends....

...and looking forward to meeting some new ones too!  It's amazing that through the power of social media we've kept in contact all year long.

Me and Amanda of Amanda Carol Interiors

It's hard to explain the feeling of being amongst a group of people whose passion is the same as yours.  It's a bit....euphoric.  I cannot wait!

This year's docket includes a host of greats, including the renowned Candice Olsen from HGTV's Divine Design.

 I can't wait to hear from Suzanne Kasler either.  I love her signature line at Ballard Designs.

I'm also super excited to meet my Instagram friend and author of my new favorite design book, In with the Old, Jennifer Boles.

She promised to autograph my book the little sister gave me for Christmas.  It's a fabulous read.

via Random House

I'm so looking forward to taking it all in.  Needless to say, I'll be out of pocket this week.  Can't wait to tell you how it went when I return.  Interested in what's going on while I'm there?  Be sure to follow me on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Have a great week!

Photos via Design Bloggers Conference website

Friday Find: "Cadillac of Cans"

I have to admit that  I really didn't find this week's Friday Find, it really found me.

 

You probably recall me blogging about the awesome time I had at the Design Blogger's Conference in LA two months ago.  It was a fantastic trip on so many levels.  You can read about it HERE and HERE.

 

 

 

 

However, one thing I didn't mention in my recaps was fact that I was the winner of one of the FABULOUS prizes given away by the conference sponsors.  Simple Human a company that aims to solve simple, often overlooked problems, and make people more efficient in their daily tasks at home, was one of the many sponsors. They call their products tools for efficient living. They’re always simple, functional, and built to last.

So, needless to say when the winner was announced and my name was called, I was ecstatic!  I later learned that I won this absolutely fabulous trash can. 

Simple Human

According to the Simple Human product description, the steel bar step can was inspired by the clean, refined aesthetics of modern commercial-grade kitchens. The expansive reinforced steel bar pedal easily opens the lid wherever you step, and the patented lid shox technology ensures a smooth, silent close every time. Integrated natural charcoal odorsorb filters help keep garbage odors under control.

 

Quite frankly, I feel like I need new counter tops, floors and cabinets to compliment this Cadillac of cans, but until then, it's happily nestled in my kitchen corner, standing tall and looking sleek. 

 

 

 

 

You can watch it in action below. I'm in LOVE with this trash can.

 

            


It gets better!  If that weren't enough, I also won this super cool sensor soap pump.

 

Simple Human

Simple Human touts that the touch-free sensor pump is the most efficient and easy way to wash your hands — no germs or smudges left behind (I agree!). Perfect for using while preparing food or cleaning up, its high-efficiency pump mechanism with speed dispense provides fast and accurate dispensing in just 0.2 seconds. A silicone valve prevents messy drips and clogs, while the wide opening makes refills fast, easy and mess-free.

The soap included in the package was lavender and it seriously make washing my hands in the kitchen a delight. 



Ok, as delightful as washing your hands can be.  : ) 


Check it out here.

          


Now, these products aren't cheap, but I have to say that if I knew how great they were, I would at least be VERY tempted to splurge.  I would highly recommend them both. 

Special thanks again to Simple Human for making my daily tasks way more efficient with these two fabulously designed products.  YOU ROCK!

Design Bloggers Conference 2013 Recap: Content

Exactly a week since the culmination of the 2013 Design Bloggers Conference and I am still walking on sunshine.  I gained so much from the speakers that its difficult to sum it all up.  I'll do my best.

 Can you tell I was on the front row?  Mom and Dad, see all those years I listened.  : )

Content

The stage was set and out of the gate, it was one impactful soundbite after another, as evident by the continuous scrolling #dbc2013 Twitter feed on the  conference screen that was front and center.  Conference organizer Adam Japko, President of Digital Sherpa kicked things off and made the statement that "It's ok to have a smaller blog audience, as long as you have the right audience."  I never thought about it like that, but definitely something I'll be keeping in mind.

The conference began with the renowned Windsor Smith who took us through 2013 design trends.

Windsor Smith

No question, she's a fabulous designer.  See for yourself....

Windsor Smith Home

However, what stood out to me most was the fact that she's always working to bring families together with her designs.  How powerful is it that interior designers have the ability to do just that?

Next up was a great panel discussion....

Peter Sallik, Jason Harris and Cliff Sirlin moderated by Stacy Kunstel (a.k.a Stacy Style)

...in which Peter Sallik told us to be mindful of the fact that "...you will always be behind. Someone will always have more____ (fill in the blank) than you.  Be yourself."

Jason Harris

Jason Harris, NC native and founder of The Design Network got us totally pumped.  He also managed to get my wheels turning with all sorts of video/t.v. ideas. 

Susanna Salk

The talented Susanna Salk told us to not worry so much about what's out there in the blogosphere and what's not.  "Your enthusiam will carve out your niche for you."

Kyle Hoepner, Beth Greene, Jenny Bradley and Jennifer Powell

There was also a great industry dialogue moderated by Jennifer Powell from Kravet Fabrics.

Richard Auffrey (left) and Evan Dawson (right)

The next presenter, Evan Dawson, a newscaster and wine blogger, not only served us awesome wine samples but he also shared with us the importance of story telling.  Something I admit I overlook when I'm in a hurry to get a post out there.

Rounding off day number one was the incomparable Charlotte Moss. 

Charlotte Moss

Seriously, I was among some of the design world greats.

Designer Charlotte Moss/via Traditional Home

Charlotte challenged us to bring it in terms of blog content.  She even gifted us with these cute hats.  Love it!

She also told us that when working with clients, it's key to "...listen beyond the words."  Great advice. 

The second day included a host of other great speakers including Hearst Design Group's Newell Turner, but the belle of the ball was the design icon Barbara Barry.  Wow!!

Barbara Barry

Barbara Barry Designs/House and Home

She had this very elegant way about her that was simply lovely.  She spoke of design as if it were a graceful dance.  It was truly poetic. She reminded us that "..inspiration is all around us."

Lastly, I think the melodic stylings of Grammy award winning Patti Austin , a design enthusiast herself, just about sum up how I felt at the end of this amazing three day adventure.

I'm gonna let it

SHINE!!

Oh! I almost forgot. If all of that weren't enough, of the 400 attendees guess who was the first to register for the conference next year. That would be me. Who knew that as a result, they'd call me on stage to inform me that because I was so eager to attend DBC 2014, they would be footing the bill for me. I know!! I'm going next year for FREE! What a way to end the conference.

Design Bloggers Conference 2013 Recap: Connections

Every now and then in life, you have one of those moments where you look around and everything is right and it suddenly dawns on you that you are EXACTLY where you're supposed to be.  Last week, that happened for me at the 2013 Design Bloggers Conference.  I'm not sure whether it was the Los Angeles sun, the company of renowned design bloggers or the wonderfully inspirational guest speakers, but something about this conference deeply moved me in a way that I was not expecting.  I was so inspired and encouraged that the experience was almost spiritual.  I know that sounds strange to say about a design conference, but that's exactly how felt.

 

 

First, I must confess that I had some serious reservations about even attending.  I've admitted before that I'm a little (ok, a lot) insecure in the design world.  For starters I'm a newbie and then to go all the way to LA by myself with such big names in the blogosphere was a little (ok, a lot) scary.  But I got over it and went anyway.  Boy, am I glad I did. 

Honestly, I've been trying to wrap my head around writing a blog post to sum it all up since last Thursday. But, it didn't take long to realize that it was probably best to just let it all marinate for a few days before attempting to do so. There's far too much to tell to include it in a single post, so I'm going to break it into two; content and connections.

Connections

Needless to say the best thing about the conference was the networking.  That's not to say that the program line-up wasn't spectacular, but there is just nothing better than being surrounded by a lively room full of people who speak the same language as you.

It was so great getting to meet bloggers that I've connected with on social media, but had never actually met face to face.



Courtesy of Courtney Price Interiors
Kimberly Ward of Pink Eggshell and me. We connected over Twitter and
realized we have more than a few connections including TSU and Mississippi.

 

Amy Lambert Lee of House of Wentworth and me
We connected over Twitter and Instagram. She's not only a talented designer with a new line of chairs, but a practicing Pharmacist in TX. Love that!

I met bloggers that I admire from afar.  If you follow me on Twitter/Facebook you know that prior to the conference I declared that I wasn't leaving LA until I met designer extraordinaire Tobi Fairley.  Well, I did!!



Not only did I meet her, I rode in a limo with her.  I know, right!


You may recall me blogging about the fabulous ladies of Dwell with Dignity.

I met them too!  Well, I actually hunted them down.  So exciting!!!

Dwell with Dignity
Lisa Robison and Kim Turner

And others, I had to travel 3,000 miles to meet even though we live in the same city...

Holly Phillips of The English Room
Not only do we live in the same city, my previous intern Chelsea now works with Holly. #smallworld

I also met some fabulous new friends. 

Ruthie Staalsen of Dec Renew and me
We had a connection from day one. Super nice lady and fellow budget designer.

Amanda Carol (Amanda Carol Interiors), me, Shelly Rosenburg (Lura Studios), Jen Gilday (At Home in the Northwest) and Lori May (Lori May Interiors)
These super fly girls let me hang out with them. So sweet and super chic!

I even met a celebrity or two. 

 

 Me and Summer Baltzer from HGTV's original Design on a Dime

 

I'd say, in terms of connections made, I couldn't have asked for more.  I've been to many a conference in my day, and I can truly say never have I felt more at home than I did at this one.

 

Thanks DBC, I can hardly wait until next year.

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"Going Back to Cali..."

By the time most of you read this post, I'll be on my way to Los Angeles, CA for the...

 

 

I cannot tell you how excited I am to attend.  I will literally be a peon in the company of design blogging heavyweights like:

Amy Lee of House of Wentworth

 

Tobi Fairley



Kimberly Ward/Pink Eggshell

And just so you know, I'm perfectly fine with that.  I will be like a sponge for the next two and a half days, soaking it all up. 

 

In addition to interior designers, there will be a host of companies, magazines and media in attendance.  Including...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And the whole thing is sponsored by companies like...

 

 

 

 

 

I can hardly wait to check in and get my goody bag!  I've been waiting almost a year for this conference and I can't wait to learn new insights into the world of design blogging.  Wish me luck and I'll see you when I return!!

Keep up with what's going on at the conference by following me on the following social media outlets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great week!